Business

Business Studies introduces students to the challenges and issues of starting a business and the role of the entrepreneur, including raising finance and developing a successful marketing plan. It then focuses on how established businesses might improve their effectiveness by making tactical decisions at a functional level such as managing people. Students will need to consider a range of different strategies for larger businesses and how different stakeholders influence the decision making process. Finally, it considers the effects that external factors can have on a business such as globalisation, global marketing and global industries.

The course is structured into four themes: Marketing and people, Managing business activities, Business decisions and strategy, and Global business.

Exam board:

Edexcel

Essential Entry Requirements:

Standard Sixth Form requirements.

Preferred Entry Requirements:

Grade 6 in GCSE Maths, but we will consider students with a Grade 5 in GCSE Maths if their GCSE grades in other subjects are sufficiently strong.

Assessment

Paper 1: Marketing, people and global business – 35% of the qualification
Paper 2: Business activities, decisions and strategy – 35% of the qualification
Paper 3: Investigating business in a competitive environment – 30% of the qualification

Extra-Curricular opportunities

‘The Apprentice’ style format, presenting a marketing strategy for a local entrepreneur.

National Sharecentre competition, investing £1500 in companies on the London Stock Exchange.